on 9 July 1907 and was formally opened by King George V in 1911. The iconic building, which occupies a highly visible position overlooking Bangor, gave the college its Welsh nickname Y Coleg ar y Bryn ("The College on the Hill"). It included the large Prichard-Jones Hall, named after Sir John Prichard-Jones a local man who became a partner in the London department store Dickins & Jones and was a substantial benefactor of the building. The building became a Grade I-listed building in 1949.
A modern extension, completing a quadrangle on the College Road side of the building, was completed in 1969, known as New Arts.
=== Pontio ===
The university's arts and innovation centre Pontio opened in 2016. The building includes teaching and social spaces and houses the offices of the students' union.
== Organisation ==
=== Colleges and schools ===
The academic activities of Bangor University are organised into three colleges, which provide operational support to the schools. The colleges system was established in 2006, replacing the previous faculties.
=== Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences ===
==== School of Welsh ====
The School of Welsh is the school of Welsh language and Celtic studies at the university. The first chair in Welsh was established at the university in 1894, for Sir John Morris-Jones. Prior to this the university council had considered establishing a chair in Welsh and classics but struggled to find a candidate. In 1920, a second chair in Welsh literature was established, the first holder being Ifor Williams. Whilst there had been a department previously, a School of Welsh-Medium Studies was formally instituted in 1986.
At undergraduate level, the school offers single-honours degrees in Welsh and joint-honours degrees in Welsh with arts and humanities subjects.
=== Governance ===
Governance of Bangor University is set out by its charter. It is ultimately governed by a council, which oversees the university's strategic direction, financial health, and policy compliance. Its senate manages …
